Job 5:11-13

He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed.He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted.

In part five of our seven-part devotion series entitled, "The Best Laid Plans," we turn to the book of Job for some strong words and proclamations from an unknown author. While many are confused in thinking that the book of Job was actually written by Job, this could simply not be possible since Job 42:17 includes an accounting of Job's death! Some believe that this book might have been penned by Moses, but that would be mere speculation. Regardless of the anonymous authorship, our Scripture today will teach us much, if we will open our hearts to the message. God protects those that suffer and prospers the poor. While, as a pastor, I am not "prospering" in material things, God has prospered me in so many ways. I have everything I need and all of my necessary wants. Most importantly, I am surrounded by a loving "Family of God" which celebrates the joy of the Lord daily. One thing we must always remember is that God will frustrate the plans of the schemers. We need to trust that statement. God will make sure that the plans of the schemers will never succeed. He will use their cleverness and cunning against them. In other words, God will turn the tables on each of these schemers. So often, we want to be the people that thwart the efforts of these destructive people. When we do this, we often become self-righteous. I have learned, over many years of ministry, that God will handle all of these situations. The farther we separate ourselves from these schemers, the better off we will be. What can we do? We need to make and execute Godly plans. We must believe that God does win! We simply need to follow His ordained plans and we will also win, while "Cleverness and Cunning Will Be Crushed!"